• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2006

The present study was conducted to confirm that a bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum can be used as a biomarker for the monitoring of the heavy metal pollution in the silt of the marine environment. The clams were collected from the silt of Cheonsu-bay, Buheung-ri, and Tan-island of the West Sea, Korea. To observe the normal structures of the target organs (hepatopancreas and gill), they were dissected out for the immunohistochemical study and the electron microscopy with TEM, SEM, and SEM-EDS. The immunohistochemical study showed that the interdiverticular connective tissues of the hepatopancreas, and the outer epithelium of the gill lamellae was strongly reacted to anti-metallothionein (MT), indicating the presence of MT, a metal-binding protein, involved in metal detoxifying process. According to the examinations under the TEM, the epithelial cells of the hepatopancreas of the clams collected from polluted area (Tan-island) showed certain changes such as swollen rER, swollen nuclear envelope and inclusion bodies in the nulcei. In the SEM-EDS analysis, tissue of the hepatopancreas showed relatively higher concentration of S, Zn, and Cd. These elements are supposed to be concerning with the MT-reaction in the hepatopancreas. Considering that the coastal bivalve R. philippinarum showed immediate subcellular responses to heavy metal pollution in the overall experiments conducted, this species might act as one of efficient biomarkers for the heavy metal contamination in the marine environment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.949-955
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• 2009

Mucosal epithelia sense external stress signals and transmit them to the intracellular cascade responses. Ribotoxic stress-producing chemicals such as deoxynivalenol (DON) or other trichothecene mycotoxins have been linked with gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases by Fusarium-contamination. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that DON evokes the epithelial sentinel signals of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) and early growth response gene 1 (EGR-1), which together contribute to the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 8 (IL-8) in human intestinal epithelial cells. PKR suppression by the dominant negative PKR expression attenuated DON-stimulated interleukin-8 production. Moreover, 1L-8 transcriptional activation by DON was also reduced by PKR inhibition in the human intestinal epithelial cells. Treatment with the PKR inhibitor also suppressed EGR-1 promoter activity, mRNA and protein induction, although mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases such as extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK) 1/2, p38, c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (INK) were little affected or even enhanced in presence of a PKR inhibitor. These patterns were also compared in the EGR-1-suppressed cells, which showed much more suppressed production of 1L-8. All things taken into consideration, DON-activated sentinel signals of EGR-1 via PKR mediated interleukin-8 production in human intestinal epithelial cells, which provide insight into the possible general mechanism associated with mucosal inflammation as an intestinal toxic insult by ribotoxic trichothecene mycotoxins.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.717-722
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• 2010

The safety of animal feed was evaluated by analyzing the levels of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, As, Se and Ag) in cattle, swine, and poultry feeds and the levels of Cu, Zn and P in swine feed. Feeds used in the analysis were produced in Korea from 2004 through the first half of 2007. The results of the study revealed that, with the exception of Cd, the concentration of heavy metals were much lower than the Minimum Regulation Levels (MRLs). However, the Cd concentration exceeded the MRL in 1 of 987 swine feed samples in 2005, as well as in 4 of 1,239 swine feed samples and 1 of 778 poultry feed samples in 2006. The levels of Cu, Zn and P in swine feed were compared with the swine breeding standard. The results of this analysis revealed that the Cu concentrations in the samples exceeded the MRL for growing pigs by 0.97%, and that for finishing and breeding pigs by 9.9%. In addition, the Cu levels (80.98 ppm for piglet, 44.82 ppm for growing pigs, 19 ppm for finishing and breeding pigs) in swine feed showed higher levels compared to 3.5-6.0 ppm, which is the Cu requirement for swine. Furthermore, the results of the Zn analysis revealed that the samples exceeded the MRL for piglets, growing pigs, and finishing and breeding pigs by 5.7%, 7.7%, and 9.3%, respectively. Finally, the average concentration of P in swine feed was 0.74%, which is almost the same as the phosphate requirement for swine.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.359-370
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• 2009

Arsenic and heavy metals leached out as a result of oxidation of tailings exposed to the surface pose a serious environmental contamination of mine areas. This study investigated how arsenic behavior is controlled by a variety of processes, such as oxidation of sulfides and formation or alteration of secondary minerals, based on mineralogical methods. The study was carried out using the tailing samples obtained from Nakdong mine located in Jeongseongun, Gangwondo. After separating magnetic and non-magnetic minerals using pretreated tailing samples, each mineral sample was classified according to their colors and metallic lusters observed by the stereoscopic microscope. Subsequently, the mineralogical properties were determined using various instrumental analyses, such as x-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA). The literature review confirmed that various ore minerals were identified in the Nakdong ore deposits. In this study, however, there were observed a few original ore minerals as well as secondary and/or tertiary minerals newly formed as a result of weathering including oxidation. In particular, we did not recognize pyrrhotite which has been known to originally exist in a large abundance, but peculiarly colloform-type iron (oxy)hydroxides were identified, which indicates most of pyrrhotite has been altered by rapid weathering due to its large reactivity. In addition, a secondary scorodites filling the fissure of weathered primary arsenopyrites were identified, and it is speculated that arsenic is immobilized through such a alteration reaction. Also, we observed tertiary iron (oxy)hydroxides were formed as a result of re-alteration of secondary jarosites, and it suggests that the environment of tailing has been changed to high pH from low pH condition which was initiated and developed by oxidation reactions of diverse primary ore minerals. The environmental change is mainly attributed to interactions between secondary minerals and parental rocks around the mine. As a result, not only was the stability of secondary minerals declined, but tertiary minerals were newly formed. As such a process goes through, arsenic which was immobilized is likely to re-dissolve and disperse into surrounding environments.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2006

During routine maintenance, animal cell lines are commonly cryopreserved in growth medium containing serum with 10% DMSO. But, in case of bioprocess under the serum-free conditions, including cultivation of cell lines and producing of pharmaceuticals, the cryopreservation should be executed without serum to prevent a cross-contamination. This experiments were performed to investigate the effects of the serum-free cryopreservation on the CHO cells. To improve the survival rates of the cryopreserved CHO cells in serum-free condition, first, the effects of permeable and non-permeable additives for substitute serum on cell viability were investigated. The combination of 10% DMSO and 0.03 M raffinose in MEM-${\alpha}$ without serum indicated 76% of cell viability. However, it did not reach the survival rates(more than 95%) of the conventional cryopreservation. In the second, to evaluate the cryopreservative ability of the serum-free medium(SFM) we compared viability of the CHO cells cryopreserved in the SFMs(Sigma C5467, C4726, and C1707, JBI SF486 and PF486), the cryoprotectant(Genenmed CAN-1000) and the MEM-${\alpha}$ with serum. All solution contained 10% DMSO. As a result of the comparison, cryopreserved cells in the SFMs showed over 95% of viability and appeared predominant viability better than cryoprotectant CAN-1000. Finally, we assessed the stability of the CHO cells in the long-term cryopreservation(LTC) using SFM. Every three months, the cryopreserved CHO cells were thawed to estimate the cell viability and the recovery rates. Then, real-time RT-PCR analyzed the inserted CHO DHFR gene. All results for the LTC appeared the same stability as the serum containing cryopreservation. In the conclusion, it could be seen that the LTC in the SFM can substitute for serum using methods in the bioprocess proceeded by CHO cells for more than 18 months.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.392-398
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• 2009

This study identified risk factors of cross-contamination of foodborne pathogens and established a good agricultural practice (GAP) system for an agricultural products processing center (APC) for perilla leaves. All samples were collected before and after a standard work shift at the APC, while perilla leaves were also collected after each step in the APC. In addition, the workers and their surroundings were sampled by swabbing. The total plate count (TPC) and coliform count in the water samples increased significantly (p<0.05) to 3.36 and 1.73 log CFU/mL after work, respectively. However, no Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes were detected. The bacterial populations of the workers and their surroundings did not differ significantly (p${\geq}$0.05) before and after work. However, Staphylococcus aureus (<1.66 log CFU) was detected at a high rate (13-50%) in the basket, packing table, gloves and cloth. Although perilla leaves passed through the washing steps, the TPC and coliform bacterial populations on the final products were higher (p${\geq}$0.05) than those of unwashed perilla leaves, which indicates that the washing system was not functioning properly. Accordingly, a GAP system with a better washing system should be employed at this facility.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2000

Adsorption onto the surfaces of solid particles is a well known phenomenon that causes the retardation effect of heavy metals in soils. For adequate remediation of soil and groundwater contamination, it is important to investigate the mobility of heavy metals that largely depends on pH conditions in the soil water since adsorption of heavy metals is pH-dependent. In this study, we investigated the transport of Zn ion under various pH conditions in a sandy soil by conducting batch and column tests. The batch test was performed using the standard procedure of equilibrating fine fractions collected from the soil with eleven different initial $ZnCl_2$ concentrations, and analysis of Zn ion in the equilibrated solutions using ICP-AES. The column test consisted of monitoring the concentrations of soil solutions exiting the soil column with time known as a breakthrough curve (BTC). We injected respectively $ZnCl_2$ and KCl solutions with the concentration of 10 g/L as a tracer in a square pulse type under three different pH conditions (7.7, 5.8, 4.1) and monitored the flux concentration at the exit boundary using an EC meter and ICP-AES. The resident concentration was also monitored at the 10cm-depth by Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR). The results of batch test showed that ion exchange process between Zn and other cations (Ca, Mg) was predominant. The retardation coefficients obtained from adsorption isotherms (Linear, Freundlich, Langmuir) resulted in the various values ranging from 1.2 to 614.1. No retardation effect but ion exchange was found for the BTCs under all pH conditions. This can be explained by the absence of other cations to desorb Zn ion from soil exchange sites under the conditions of ETC experiment imposing blank water as leachate in steady-state flow. As pH decreased, the peak concentration of Zn increased due to the competition of Zn with hydrogen ions ($H^+$) and the concentrations of other cations decreased. The peak concentration of Zn was increased by 12.7 times as pH decreased from 7.7 to 4.1.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.589-601
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• 2010

Recently it has been frequently reported arsenic contamination of geologic origin in groundwater. The iron-impregnated ranular activated carbon (Fe-GAC) was developed for effective removal of arsenic from groundwater n the study. Fe-GACs were prepared by impregnating iron compounds into a supporting medium (GAC) with 0.05 M iron nitrate solution. The materials were used in arsenic adsorption isotherm tests to know the effect of iron impregnation time, batch kinetic tests to understand the influence of pH, and column tests to evaluate for the preliminary operation of water treatment system. The results showed that the minimum twelve hours of impregnation time were required for making the Fe-GAC with sufficient iron content for arsenic removal, confirmed by a high arsenic adsorption capacity evaluated in the isotherm tests. Most of the impregnated iron compounds were iron hydroxynitrate $Fe_4(OH)_{11}NO_3{\cdot}2H_2O$ but a mall quantity of hematite was also identified in X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis. The batch isotherms of Fe-GAC for arsenic adsorption were well explained by Langmuir than Freundlich model and the iron contents of Fe-GAC have positive linear correlations on logarithmic plots with Freundlich distribution coefficients ($K_F$ and Langmuir maximum adsorption capacities ($Q_m$. The results of kinetic experiments suggested hat Fe-GAC had he excellent arsenic adsorption capacities regardless of all pH conditions except for pH 11 and could be used a promising adsorbents for groundwater arsenic removal considering the general groundwater pH range of 6-8. The pseudo-second order model, based on the assumption that the ate-limiting step might be chemisorption, provided the best correlation of the kinetic experimental data and explained the arsenic adsorption system f Fe-GAC. The column test was conducted to valuate the feasibility of Fe-GAC use and the operation parameters in arsenic groundwater treatment system. The parameters obtained from the column test were the retardation actor of 482.4 and the distribution coefficient of 581.1 L/mg which were similar values of 511.5-592.5 L/mg acquired from Freundlich batch isotherm model. The results of this study suggested that Fe-GAC could be used as promising adsorbent of arsenic removal in a small groundwater supply system with water treatment facility.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 2000

During bonding procedure of composite resin, the prepared cavity can be contaminated by saliva. In this study, marginal microleakage and shear bond strength of a composite resin to primed enamel and dentin treated with artificial saliva(Taliva$^{(R)}$) were evaluated. For the marginal microleakage test, Class V cavities were prepared in the buccal surfaces of fifty molars. The samples were randomly assigned into 5 groups with 10 samples in each group. Control group was applied with a bonding system (Scotchbond$^{TM}$ Multi-Purpose plus) according to manufacture's directions without saliva contamination. Experimental groups were divided into 4 groups and contaminated with artificial saliva for 30 seconds after priming: Experimental 1 group ; artificial saliva was dried with compressed air only, Experimental 2 group ; artificial saliva was rinsed and dried. Experimental 3 group ; cavities were etched with 35% phosphoric acid for 15 seconds after rinsing and drying artificial saliva. Experimental 4 group ; cavities were etched with 35% phosphoric acid for 15 seconds and primer was reapplied after rinsing and drying artificial saliva. All the cavities were applied a bonding agent and filled with a composite resin (Z-100$^{TM}$). Specimens were immersed in 0.5% basic fuschin dye for 24 hours and embedded in transparent acrylic resin and sectioned buccolingually with diamond wheel saw. Four sections were obtained from one specimen. Degree of marginal leakage was scored under stereomicroscope and their scores were averaged from four sections. The data were analyzed by Kruscal-Wallis test and Fisher's LSD. For the shear bond strength test, the buccal or occlusal surfaces of one hundred molar teeth were ground to expose enamel(n=50) or dentin(n=50) using diamond wheel saw and its surface was smoothed with Lapping and Polishing Machine(South Bay Technology Co., U.S.A.). Samples were divided into 5 groups. Treatment of saliva-contaminated enamel and dentin surfaces was same as the marginal microleakage test and composite resin was bonded via a gelatin capsule. All specimens were stored in distilled water for 48 hours. The shear bond strengths were measured by universal testing machine (AGS-1000 4D, Shimaduzu Co., Japan) with a crosshead speed of 5 mm/minute. Failure mode of fracture sites was examined under stereomicroscope. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's studentized range test. The results of this study were as follows : 1. Enamel marginal microleakage showed no significant difference among groups. 2. Dentinal marginal microleakages of control, experimental 2 and 4 groups were lower than those of experimental 1 and 3 groups (p<0.05). 3. The shear bond strength to enamel was the highest value in control group (20.03${\pm}$4.47MPa) and the lowest value in experimental 1 group (13.28${\pm}$6.52MPa). There were significant differences between experimental 1 group and other groups (p<0.05). 4. The shear bond strength to dentin was higher in control group (17.87${\pm}$4.02MPa) and experimental 4 group (16.38${\pm}$3.23MPa) than in other groups, its value was low in experimental 1 group (3.95${\pm}$2.51 MPa) and experimental 2 group (6.72${\pm}$2.26MPa)(p<0.05). 5. Failure mode of fractured site on the enamel showed mostly adhesive failures in experimental 1 and 3 groups. 6. Failure mode of fractured site on the dentin did not show adhesive failures in control group, but showed mostly adhesive failure in experimental groups. As a summary of above results, if the primed tooth surface was contaminated with artificial saliva, primer should be reapplied after re-etching it.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.457-468
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of mixed-sowing of legume forage and applying of cattle manure on the productivity of rye in order to produce the organic roughage to be effectively reducing the environmental contamination and to provide Hanwoo rearing farmer with safe organic animal products. The present study also aimed to evaluate optimal applying level of cattle manure and carrying capacity of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) per unit area. The annual amount of crude protein (CP) of rye in Gyeongju were higher than those of in Gyeongsan and Yeongju, and the mixed-sowing of forage pea was the highest (p<0.05) compared with the single-sowing. The amount of CP were increased proportionately corresponded to the applying level of fermented cattle manure, and found significantly (p<0.05) high at the level of 100 and 150 kg/ha groups. With feed value of forage, CP was tended to be higher in the mixed-sowing of legume than the single-sowing of rye at the wintering experimental sites of legume, and in particular the forage peas was higher (p<0.05) than other crops. Carrying capacity of organic Hanwoo (head/ha) was higher (p<0.05) in Gyeongju (3.28 head) than that in Gyeongsan (1.94) and Yeongju (1.50). The carrying capacity in the single-sowing of rye also was lower than that in the mixed-sowing of legume, and the forage peas was the highest among the mixed-sowing groups (p<0.05). Overall, the present results showed that it would be recommended to take into account the wintering for mix-sowing of legume. The fermented cattle manure may be applied for legume in the wintering unavailable regions. In addition, the applying the fermented cattle manure at the level of 100~150kg/ha and the mix-sowing of legume with forage peas may increase the productivity per unit area and feed value including CP for improving carrying capacity of organic Hanwoo.